Iditarod 2011

ANGIE, our favorite musher!

Girls Trip!!!

Eleanor, our friend & neighbor Marthalee & I flew to Alaska to see my friend Angie Taggart off on her rookie Iditarod!

(Always the gentlemen, Oscar & Daddy brought us gals to the airport before driving to Ohio.)

We saw beautiful snow-capped mountains & glaciers spilling into the sea on our way north from Seattle to Anchorage. Eleanor couldn't be happier to come along on this exciting adventure. What a lucky six year old!?! Me, Angie & my Mom Judi next to Anchorage's tallest Snowman! Kayhi Girls Reunion at the Musher's Banquet. This was the evening the musher's drew their starting position for the race. Angie drew bib #19.

Eleanor & I at Angie's dog lot.

She has 23 sled dogs and 2 "house dogs," Svenna & Indigo.

Eleanor knew all the dogs names before I did! Getting a kiss from Bristol.

Marthalee & I with our favorite musher.

She was Angie's Iditarider and got to ride in the sled basket during the Ceremonial Start from Anchorage's 4th Street to the Campbell Airstrip, a 12 mile ride.

(Silly Jane, making bunny ears!)

I loved being Bristol's handler.

This photo captures a rare moment when she was not bucking & pulling at her tug lines & ferociously digging her teeth into the snow for a quick "drink" before she got underway!

Attempting to hold the dogs back bringing Angie up to the starting chute on Willow Lake.

Eleanor at the Iditarod Start.

Shopping in Alaska can be very dangerous!

Eleanor bought a beautiful Norwegian nomadic goat-herders cap.

Mothers & their Daughters

Angie & Eleanor

Eleanor took this fun photo of Angie's dog.

She took photos of each dog and went around giving them each love before they embarked on their 1100 mile journey to Nome.

Angie is the 895th person to finish the Iditarod. She finished 43rd this year out of 62 mushers, 15 of whom never made it to the Finish Line. We are SO proud of Angie & her furry athletes and this amazing accomplishment!